The seasonally adjusted value of shipments from Alberta factories went from $7.3 billion in May to $7.2 billion in June for a decrease of 1.4% and the first month-over-month contraction since April 2020.

Despite the pullback, total sales in June were 45.1% higher than the same month in 2020 and 14.5% higher than June 2019.

Lower wood product sales after a record-breaking May were the main reason for the decrease. The value of wood product shipments went from $948 million in May to $803 million in June for a drop of 15.4%.

Food products were at the other end of the continuum with sales up by $52 million or 3.2% in June compared to May.

Sales in the notoriously volatile oil refinery sector barely moved in June, down by just 0.04% or $569,000 out of total sales of $1.6 billion.

After falling in April and May, national manufacturing sales rose 2.1% to $59.2 billion in June.

Answer to the previous trivia question: The 13th day of the month falls on a Friday at least once every year but can do so up to a maximum of three times.

Today’s trivia question: Who patented the assembly line in 1901?